I have lived in Massachusetts for eight years, which means I’m now coming up on the third presidential election since moving here.

Here in Port City, around election time, there’s always a bit of an awkward moment during social gatherings when someone brings up the subject of politics. Eventually, everyone lets on that they’re on the same page, politically speaking, and then we move on to talk happily about murdering babies, requiring kindergarteners to recite the Gay Agenda instead of the Pledge of Allegiance, and inviting the Muslims (all of whom are terrorists) to attack us repeatedly without fear of reprisal. You know, as we liberals are wont.

So I was curious…what about those of you who live in areas that are NOT so politically homogeneous, where blood runs both red and blue? Do you avoid political discussions altogether in mixed company? Do book club meetings and playgroups degenerate into political brawls? Something in between? Discuss.